Instructor Bios

2520 Miracle Lane, Mishawaka ,In 46545 574-400-0258

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Candy Samuels

Stone Soup Batiks Owner and Class Instructor

Candy has been interested in arts and crafts all her life. She previously owned a ceramics shop as well as handcrafted soaps as Ladysuds that she sold at the South Bend Farmers Market for over 40 years.

Candy started sewing in '72, making items out of her husband's shirts. She is self taught and eventually graduated on to quilting with her first puff pillow quilt in '77. When Candy isn't busy running the store, she facilitates the Machine Applique Club, co-facilitates the UFO club, and co-teaches the various quilt block of the month classes.

Candy loves working with fabrics and enjoys helping others manifest their stitching visions.

Barbara Dodson

Stone Soup Batiks Class Instructor

She has making t-shirt memory quilts down to a science!

Deb Schwander

Stone Soup Batiks Class Instructor

Best known as the "Purse Lady", Deb has been sewing since childhood when she was involved with the 4H Club. She has been teaching sewing classes since the 80's and has worked previously at Jeanette's Fabric Boutique and Pumpkin Vine Quilting. Deb facilitates the Hand Stitching club, co-facilitates the UFO club, co-teaches quilt block of the month classes as well as teaches purse classes. If you have any questions on making purses, don't hesitate to ask her next time you drop in, she is always happy to help. When she's not busy running the clubs or teaching classes she helps Candy spend her money as well as reel her in on her purchases for the store.

Janet Holdeman

Stone Soup Batiks Class Instructor

I learned to sew in middle school and home economics in high school. I worked in retail selling women's clothes. Now, I see clothes instead of quilts. I'm now known as the Jacket Lady.

Jean Kalchik
Stone Soup Batiks Class Instructor

I have been quilting for 18 years and my love now is for needle turn applique. My greatest project is a true Baltimore Album quilt that was in a Sisters,OR quilt show in 2012. I enjoy taking classes from renowned teachers and learning new techniques which I like to share with fellow quilters. I have been teaching classes for the past three years as well as working in a small quilt shop in my area. I love to see the colors come together in a quilt and accent it with thread painting.
I belong to two church groups that do charity quilts: Quilts of Valor in Traverse City,MI, as well as a local quilting group.

Joy Evard

Stone Soup Batiks Class Instructor

I was inspired by my grandmother who was a real maker. She tatted, sewed, and crocheted. Her ability to pick up a skill and run with it was a real driver towards how I approach my life. I love to learn, and even more, I love to teach what I learn. I like to turn "cant's" into "can's".

Virginia Heitman

Stone Soup Batiks Class Instructor

Virginia has been sewing since grade school, starting out on garment construction. She took up quilting when she and her husband moved to the Michiana area in 2000. Luckily for us she got hooked! She started doing hand applique not long after. More recently she has incorporated embroidery and ink stenciling into her appliques. She enjoys all phases of quilting as well as sharing her passion with others. She challenged herself with making quilts for the St. Jude's Children's Hospital "Quilt of Dreams" program every year it was in existence. She won both regional and national honors with these quilts. Virginia has also won People's Choice Awards in her local guild's quilt show held each year at the Mishawaka Public Library.

Want to meet one of these great instructors?
Come down to our store, or sign up here for one of their classes!

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